Welcome! “The PT Handbook” is a physical therapy newsletter discussing all things physical therapy/sports medicine. This newsletter is an extension of our philosophy at “Art of PT Sports & Performance Physical Therapy” where our patient population includes athletes and active individuals.
This handbook will provide practical PT tips and dive into hot topics surrounding the sports rehab world. If you have questions about the field of physical therapy or need to schedule an appointment (virtual/in person), tell us your story with the link below!
Dr. Gerry Robles PT, DPT
Founder, Art of PT Sports & Performance Physical Therapy - Athlete-level care for every active body
PT Handbook Conversation: Why Rest Days Are Crucial
Most active people think rest days mean they’re falling behind. As a doctor of physical therapy, I hear people tell me this EVERY WEEK. “What a day off?!” is what I hear….
Rest days aren’t what make people weaker. Ignoring recovery is.
Training is the stimulus and recovery is where the adaptation happens.
Without enough recovery you get:
-Strength plateaus
-Soreness lingers longer
-Small aches quietly turn into injuries
That’s not a motivation problem…..it’s a recovery problem.
Rest doesn’t mean doing nothing. What it does mean is giving your body what it needs to adapt.
Rest days are part of your training program. They aren’t the enemy
From a nutrition standpoint, this is where quality matters. As a Legion Supplements ambassador, I like their whey protein powder because they’re fully transparent with ingredients and dosages… no weird blends. And it’s tasty!
😃 If you want clean protein or performance support, you can check out Legion HERE and use my code “DrGerry” for 10% cash back.
Micronutrients also play a role in recovery and stress tolerance especially when life stress is high. This is where I like the brand Thorne, as a Thorne ambassador, I trust their supplements because they’re third-party tested and commonly used in clinical settings
🙂 If you’re looking to better support recovery, explore Thorne HERE and you get 10% off using that link! I personally use their multivitamin called “Basic Nutrients” daily.
Recovery days are crucial
Here’s the mindset shift I give to all my super active patients:
Rest days don’t take progress away… they lock progress in.
If your goal is to train hard and stay active long term, recovery isn’t optional. It’s a must.
The gym or exercise should not interfere with your life, so chill… take a step back and recover. Your body will thank you.
It’s part of the program. So integrate these days as needed. If you need help then ask me! I’m here to help.
Train hard. Recover smarter.
Struggling with nagging pain? Don’t take rest/recovery days? Reply to this email I'll help. Or just book a virtual visit with me below. I'll get you fixed up 😊
My podcast is back. The newest episode will be uploaded soon if it is not already. I go solo this podcast and talk about why you fail at your New Years Resolutions. It’s a fun one so remember to subscribe to my YouTube channel to get notified when it’s up! Click HERE to check out the channel!
Some links in this newsletter are affiliate links. I only recommend products I personally use or trust as a PT. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I am a Thorne/Legion supplements ambassador and trust their products.
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See you all soon,
Dr. Gerry Robles PT, DPT
Founder, Art of PT Sports & Performance Physical Therapy - Athlete-level care for every active body